2 months ago
22
Bob MacIntyre insists he can play without any pressure at the Genesis Scottish Open - and has warned his rivals he won’t give up his title without a fight.
MacIntyre will tee it up this morning as the defending champion at The Renaissance after a stunning victory 12 months ago in front of his home crowd.
The 28-year-old Scot believes the win will give him a new sense of freedom in his home event on what is expected to be a week of glorious sunshine in East Lothian.
MacIntyre, who will play alongside world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Adam Scott in a marquee group for the opening two rounds, will be going all guns blazing to make it back-to-back victories.
‘I want to keep this trophy every year until I stop playing,’ he said. ‘It’s the Scottish Open, the flagship event for me, the biggest after the majors. I am coming here to win. It’s a special tournament with an unbelievable field.
‘I think the pressure is off in terms of how much I wanted to win this tournament. I have won it now. The expectation isn’t necessarily from me, the expectation from the outside will be through the roof.
MacIntyre relishes playing in the Scottish Open, a flagship event for him
The Scot claimed the title at the Renaissance Club last year
World No1 Scottie Scheffler will play alongside the defending champion for the first two rounds
‘I can’t control that. I’ve just got to go out there and give it my best shot. Hopefully come the back nine on Sunday, things fall your way, perfect, like it did last year.
‘I am not looking at The Open next week. I am looking to defend this title this week. I want to win every time I play in this event - and that doesn’t change just because I won it last year.
‘When that winning putt dropped last year, I’ve watched it over and over. When I struggle with my putting, I look at those moments and remember the highs.’
MacIntyre will be sporting a new design on his golf bag this week, the blue-and-yellow tartan made famous by the late, great Doddie Weir.
He has been a passionate supporter of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation over the past few years, aiming to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.
He helped open a new grandstand at The Renaissance yesterday in memory of Scott Stewart, who sadly passed away in December last year after bravely battling against MND.
Stewart, who attended the Scottish Open for many years as a fan and was guest starter for the pro-am last year, helped raise money and awareness about the chronic illness.
‘It is a hellish disease,’ said MacIntyre. ‘I just want to try and help raise awareness about it if I can. Sadly Scott passed away last year.
‘There’s so many other people like Scott that have done a great job of raising awareness and raising money for the cause. I’m just a small part of that that’s trying to keep it going.
‘I’ve got a close family friend who has now also got it. We thought, well, what a place to do it. Just to try and - I’m going to try my best to raise awareness.’
